Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Harry Vassallo yesterday said that Playmobil had been a landmark in Malta’s industrial landscape for several decades.

Speaking during a visit to the factory in Hal Far, Dr Vassallo said “the continued success of Playmobil is a credit to all who have had a part to play in it.”

“Generations of Maltese workers have now been part of the Playmobil story at some time in their working life and their experience of work methods and employer-employee relations at Playmobil has had a significant effect also on other places of work.”

“Every enterprise must now face up to global challenges and export-oriented firms lead the way,” Dr Vassallo said.

“Playmobil has met and overcome the challenge of Malta’s EU membership by careful preparation setting an excellent example to all others with a leadership responsibility,” Dr Vassallo said.

“Four years after EU accession, the government has launched a number of retraining schemes which will allow workers to engage successfully with a changing labour market. Alternattiva Demokratika welcomes such initiatives especially since we advocated such measures several years ago, far ahead of EU membership,” Dr Vassallo added.